Top News:
Associated Press:
Rivera says he'll consider offers from other teams — TAMPA, Fla. — Mariano Rivera had this warning for the New York Yankees: If he becomes a free agent, he'll consider offers from other teams. — "Everybody has the same shot," he said Wednesday. "The Yankees will not have an advantage."
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George King / New York Post:
RIVERA AWAITING GM'S PITCH — Mariano Rivera a Red Sox? It could happen. — Sitting in his car outside Legends Field yesterday, Rivera was asked by The Post if he could be Boston's closer next year. — "You never know," said Rivera, who is determined to become a free agent …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Scrub pitcher moves into Bernie's locker — TAMPA - The Yankees gave away Bernie Williams' spring locker at Legends Field yesterday, hanging the No. 60 jersey of fringe reliever Jose Veras inside and putting up a new nameplate. There were even several pieces of fan mail for Veras tucked inside the stall.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets' Wright stays grounded — Despite increasing off-field distractions, Wright says his primary focus is baseball — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — David Wright was thrilled this winter when he was selected as the cover athlete for MLB 07: The Show, an honor previously held by Red Sox slugger David Ortiz.
Toasty Joe / Yes Joe, It's Toasted.:Rah, Rah, Sis-Boom-Bah, Gooooooo Yankees!!
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Associated Press:
Nats agree to minor league deal with Young — VIERA, Fla. — Former All-Star Dmitri Young agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, getting another chance after the Detroit Tigers cut him last year following legal and substance-abuse problems.
Discussion:
The Griddle
RELATED:
Washington Post:
Young, Batista Will Get a Look — On the day before their pitchers and catchers held their first workout, the Washington Nationals added two more low-risk bargains to the fold, signing one-time sluggers Dmitri Young and Tony Batista to minor league contracts.
Detroit Free Press:
Young close to signing with Nats — Dmitri Young, the former All-Star slugger released by the Tigers last September, is close to signing a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. — Young, who played for Washington general manager Jim Bowden while with the Cincinnati Reds …
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Can O's answer? — Have the Orioles improved enough to make waves in the American League East? — The consensus answer now is "no." Sure, the bullpen is drastically better and the offense also looks more dangerous with the addition of Jay Payton and Aubrey Huff.
RELATED:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:Done deals … Most baseball pundits had graded the Orioles …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — Organizational Rankings — It's generally accepted that the legendary Branch Rickey devised the universally used 20-80 scouting scale. The actual origin of the scale is a bit of a mystery, but some believe it's based on a scientific scale used in some fields that revolves around a median …
Mike Fish / ESPN:
Martinez rehabs with controversial fitness guru … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pedro Martinez continues to stand by controversial fitness guru and massage therapist Angel "Nao" Presinal. And Presinal, in turn, promises to deliver something sure to brighten the New York Mets' pennant …
New York Post:
DUANER'S 1ST REHAB STINT 'WEIRD' — Rehab for Duaner Sanchez has been "weird," he says, because he hadn't been injured before suffering his separated right shoulder last year. But his first rehab is apparently enjoying beginner's luck. — Sanchez, a key Mets reliever …
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Sizemore emerging as a legitimate star … In 2006, Grady Sizemore led the American League in runs scored (134), doubles (53) and extra-base hits (92). Granted, 92 extra-base hits isn't as impressive as it once was. In 1995, Albert Belle became the first American Leaguer since 1940 …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
PEDRO IN CAMP, GUNNING FOR MIDSEASON RETURN — Pedro Martinez's right shoulder didn't have any huge telling scars when he showed it to reporters yesterday. Not only is there nothing too noticeable, but Martinez was far from downcast in assessing his health.
